Brooke Martin
Blessed candles are a powerful spiritual addition to the home. They are often lit during prayer or severe weather, invoking the power of God to protect the home. When it comes to disposing of blessed candles, it is important to handle their disposal with care and respect. While it is not a sin to throw them away, the general rule of thumb is to burn or bury them. Burning is considered a respectful way to dispose of blessed items, honouring their sacred significance. If burning is not possible, candles can be disassembled or destroyed in a way that prevents any profane reuse and then buried. Alternatively, blessed candles can be dropped off at a parish office or monastery for proper disposal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposal method | Burning or burying |
| Burning method | Letting candles burn down entirely or burning them by themselves to avoid hazard |
| Burying method | Burying the ashes on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery |
| If unable to burn or bury | Drop off at the parish office or give to a priest |
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What You'll Learn
Burning blessed candles is respectful
Blessed candles are considered sacramentals, which are items that have been blessed by a priest. As such, they are to be treated with reverence and respect and must not be used in an improper or profane way. The Diocese of Superior in Wisconsin states that once a religious object is blessed, it "must be treated with reverence and must not be used in either an improper or profane way." Therefore, throwing blessed items into the trash is not considered a reverent way of disposing of them.
The proper way to dispose of blessed candles is to burn them. Burning them is considered a respectful way of honouring their sacred significance. If the candle is in a glass holder, it is recommended to burn the candle by itself to avoid any hazard if the glass breaks. The ashes can then be collected and buried on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery.
If burning the candles is not possible, they can be buried whole. Burying them in the ground is another appropriate method of disposal, as it is deemed a respectful way to part with blessed items. They can be buried on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery, not in a landfill.
Additionally, blessed candles can be dropped off at the parish office, where someone on staff can take care of their disposal. In some places, these candles are gathered and melted down to create the Easter candle.
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Burying candles is another option
The Diocese of Superior in Wisconsin advises that "the basic rule for the disposition of these items is to burn or bury them. Therefore, the normal 'rule of thumb' is that anything that has been blessed should be burned (and then the ashes buried) or simply buried." This guidance is provided for the proper disposal of religious items, ensuring they are treated with reverence and not used in a profane manner.
If you choose to bury your blessed candles, it is recommended to do so on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery. This ensures that the candles are not disposed of in a landfill and are returned to the earth in a dignified manner. Burying candles can be a practical challenge, especially if you have a large number of candles or live in an area where digging is difficult.
Additionally, some people may be uncomfortable with the idea of burying items that have been blessed. In such cases, it is possible to disassemble or destroy the candles before burial to prevent any profane reuse. This could involve melting the wax and disposing of the liquid wax and wick separately, or cutting the candles into small pieces before burial. These additional steps can provide peace of mind and ensure the respectful disposal of blessed candles.
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Candles can be left at a parish office
If you are unable to burn or bury your blessed candles, you can drop them off at your local parish office, and a member of staff will take care of their disposal. This is an appropriate method of disposal, as it ensures that the candles are treated with the reverence that sacred items deserve.
The staff at the parish office will handle the blessed candles in one of two ways. Firstly, they may be burned, which is considered a respectful way to dispose of items blessed by a priest. This method honours the candle's sacred purpose and returns it to the earth in a dignified manner. If burning the candles is not possible, they will be buried, which is another acceptable way to dispose of blessed items.
If you wish to dispose of your blessed candles in this way, you should contact your local parish office to make the necessary arrangements. They may have specific procedures in place for dropping off and handling blessed candles. It is important to follow any provided instructions to ensure the proper disposal of these sacred items.
By taking your blessed candles to the parish office, you can rest assured that they will be disposed of in a manner that honours their spiritual significance. This method also ensures that you do not have to worry about the practical challenges associated with burning the candles yourself, such as fire safety concerns or the impracticality of burying glass candle jars.
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Give away to someone who can use them
If you have blessed candles that you no longer need, you can give them away to someone who can use them. This is a good option if you are unable or unwilling to burn or bury them, which are the standard methods of disposal for blessed items.
Finding someone who can use blessed candles may be easier than you think. You could ask around your local community, church group, or place of worship. You could also try contacting local Catholic schools, as teachers often give religious items to their students for special events. Alternatively, you could leave the candles in a box marked 'Free' in the vestibule of your church, allowing other parishioners to take what they need.
If you are unable to find anyone in your local community who can use the blessed candles, you could consider contacting a Catholic organisation or monastery further afield. They may be able to make use of the candles or advise you on other options for disposal.
When giving away blessed candles, it is important to remember that they are still considered sacred items. Therefore, it is best to ensure that they are going to a respectful home where they will be treated with reverence.
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Disassemble candles to prevent reuse
If you are unable to burn blessed candles, they should be disassembled or destroyed in a way that prevents any reuse and then buried on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery. This method of disposal is recommended out of respect for the candle's sacred purpose.
For example, if the blessed candle is in a glass jar, the jar can be shattered, and the shards can be put in the recycling. Another option is to bring the candle to your priest.
If you are able to burn the candle, it is recommended that you do so, and then bury the ashes on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery. This is the preferred method of disposal for candles.
If you are unable to burn or bury the candle, you can drop it off at the parish office, and someone on staff can take care of it.
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Frequently asked questions
Blessed candles can be burned or buried. If you choose to burn the candle, ensure it is not in a hazardous location, such as near flammable objects or materials. If the candle is in a glass holder, it is recommended to burn the candle alone to prevent the glass from breaking. After burning, bury the ashes.
If you are unable to burn or bury the candle, you can disassemble or destroy it in a way that prevents any profane reuse. Then, bury the pieces on church grounds or in a Catholic cemetery. Alternatively, you can drop off the candle at your local parish office or monastery for proper disposal.
No, recycling is not an appropriate method of disposing of blessed candles. Burning or burying are the preferred methods of disposal.
Although it is not inherently sinful to throw away blessed items, it is recommended to dispose of them with reverence and respect. Therefore, throwing them away is not advisable.
